(19)

(11)

EP 1 516 378 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 23.03.2005 Bulletin 2005/12 (21) Application number: 03759797.8 (22) Date of filing: 16.06.2003

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: H01M 4/04, H01M 4/02, H01M 4/40, B21C 25/02, B21C 25/08 (86) International application number: PCT/CA2003/000871 (87) International publication number: WO 2003/107459 (24.12.2003 Gazette 2003/52)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT RO SE SI SK TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK (30) Priority: 17.06.2002 US 172020 (71) Applicant: Avestor Limited Partnership Boucherville,Quebec J4B 7Z7 (CA)	(72) Inventors: LA LIBERTE, Richard Ste-Julie, Quebec J3E 2B1 (CA) DUBE, Jonathan Laprairie, Quebec J5R 5J6 (CA) (74) Representative: Kohn, Philippe  Cabinet Philippe Kohn,30, rue Hoche 93500 Pantin 93500 Pantin (FR)